What's the Use of Lectures?

This work begins by arguing that lectures are most suitable for teaching information, not promoting thought or inspired changes in attitudes, and then goes on to detail factors affecting the learning of information. There is a consideration of the techniques of lecturing, including organization, how to make a point, use handouts, and obtain feedback. The text also moves beyond lecturing to discuss alternatives when they are appropriate.

I actually have the printed edition of this book, dated 1972. Owing to the critical reviews, I was tempted to open the book again. I'm glad I didTable 8 shows a variety of teaching methods and their best use. Only a small set is focused on 'imparting information' . Other primary objectives include Empathy, Problem Solving, Manual skills, Attitude change, 'Critical' thinking, Observation, Vocational skills and so on.I think that it is a grave disservice to this book to say that it is only about imparting information. It is about far more than that.Although the book is old, a surprising large % of it is still highly relevant today.

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Page 15 - ... lectures are relatively ineffective for changing attitudes or fostering personal or social adjustment in students. From the point of view of our interest in promoting lifelong learning skills, Bligh's findings on what he calls 'the promotion of thought' are of particular significance. He comments (p 15) that: if students are to learn to think, they must be placed in situations where they have to do so... The best way to learn to solve problems is to be given problems that have to be solved......

Page 3 - ... What led me to the method was a dissatisfaction with the conventional lecture. Drawing on a variety of research studies Bligh convincingly demonstrates the limitations of the conventional lecture: 'Comparisons of the lecture method with other teaching methods . . . suggests that it ... cannot be used on its own to promote thought or to change and develop attitudes without variations in the usual lecture techniques